Why I Read The Same Book Every Year

        It doesn't seem like it's been that long since I've written, but here we are on the first day of April and I haven't written since the 17th of March. Sorry for the long absence. I haven't been able to sit still long enough to form cohesive thoughts that would make anything resembling a decent post; I'd rather have blissful silence than forced posting.

     Last week was my Spring Break from school and I was excited for several reasons. There was time to recharge, time to run, time to spend with my family, and time to read; one of my favorite hobbies. I've enjoyed reading books from all genres for several years and my wife often pokes fun because I'll be reading two or three books at a time depending on what my mood is on that particular day.

     About halfway through Spring Break I finished the book I was reading, Born to Run, an account of a undeveloped Mexican tribe that are basically all Ultra-Marathoners who are virtually injury free, but never really compete on the international stage. It was a story about running mechanics, anthropology, and why humans even feel compelled to run in the first place. I loved it and highly recommend it to any runners or non-runners out there. When I finished it, I was ready to move on to a new book.

    I thought for awhile about the couple of books I have sitting in the bottom of my cabinet that I've had for a few months, but they haven't struck my mood yet. Then I remembered that it was Spring Break, baseball season was beginning, and it was time for me to re-read one of my favorite baseball books, The Oldest Rookie, or as we know it, thanks to Disney, The Rookie. Now normally, I am a book over movie type of guy, and it holds true that I enjoy the book more than the movie here, but if you haven't seen the movie with Dennis Quaid, go do it...NOW!

     If you're unfamiliar with the story, Jim Morris was a high school and junior college baseball player that signed a major league deal to become a pitcher. He had risen above some emotional and mental trauma to live out his childhood dream. Feels good, right? Injury after injury sets him back and he gives up on that dream in order to support his growing family. He eventually winds up coaching a high school baseball team, the students encourage him to try out for a Major League team, and he makes it, becoming one of the oldest rookies in the history of baseball. It's an amazing story of what happens when we don't give up on our dreams and keep working.

     I originally fell in love with this story because I was a high school baseball player who had big league aspirations. The only problem was is that I am terrible at baseball. I thought that I could outwork everyone else and would eventually make my dreams a reality. I had fantasies of living in Cincinnati and donning a Reds uniform, playing next to the river under the lights. I shared these hopes with my now wife and she was always supportive and encouraging. But senior year came and I went, and I played a total of about 18 innings over the course of the season. Might be fine if I was a closing pitcher, but I was a first baseman by trade...so this wasn't going to work out.

     I fell for this story hard because it let me know that you could chase down dreams, even if you have to run behind them forever. I thought, "yeah, I could do that! I could be the 'out of nowhere' guy who suddenly becomes a professional ballplayer!" Well, I'm still waiting for the Reds to send the contract, but the last time I played co-ed softball, I pulled a quad...I don't think they're calling anytime soon.

     But I'm okay with that.

     I'm okay with the fact that what I thought were my lifelong dreams didn't "pan out". I'm okay that I live in the house that I do and I'm okay with doing a job that I love. I still love Jim Morris' story though, because it doesn't matter if your dream is to be a pro ballplayer or to just be financially secure- no dream is too small if you really want it. If I was willing to sacrifice everything I have built, I probably could become a professional athlete, but it would require the forfeiture of everything; family, friends, my job, my home--what am I without these things? That childhood dream wasn't what I was built for and not what I want anymore, and I'm okay with the fact that my dreams changed over time. It's not disappointing and I won't force my son to live out those dreams on my behalf.

     We have to be okay with dreams and goals changing because it's silly to think that when our lives are constantly changing that our aspirations wouldn't change with them. The story of Jim Morris tells us that your dreams don't always die, but they take time to percolate and that maybe they change because of where you are in life. We have to be realistic about our dreams and about what we really want, because our professional or childhood dreams don't always match up with the life we want to live. My family is more important to me than anything; I would work a coal mine if I had to in order to provide for them. Luckily, I'm answering my calling and loving my work, so I don't have to, but my dream is to provide for those I love, not chase personal accolades.

     Love the dream, but you also have to love the work and the intended and unintended consequences. You don't get to pick which parts of the dream work-it's a whole package. Don't ever give up on dreams, but make sure it's what you want and what's good for you.

Best,